When my sister and I were small, my mom would put us to bed – and, thinking she finally had some time to herself – would get out the air popper to pop some white fluffy corn, intending to relax with her favorite snack after a long day.

Inevitably, the wonderful aroma would waft upstairs and lure my sister and me downstairs, much like you’d see in a cartoon. Ever kind, my mom would indulge us a few handfuls of the freshly salted popcorn before sending us back to bed.

My mom’s love for popcorn was passed down to both Keri and me – my mom says it’s because she ate so much of it while pregnant with us. Whether that’s true or not, popcorn is, hands down, my favorite snack. And one of my favorite household appliances is the air popper my mom got for me when I first moved into my college apartment.

We’re not doing any hard math here, but that makes this trusty little beaut more than 10 years old. I still have the same one, and I use it easily at least once a week.

I do not share popcorn. Please do not ask. If I must, I will make you your own bowl.

A few years ago, my stepmother gifted my sister and me our first Whirley Pops. Privately, we both shunned them at first, knowing our air-popped corn was tops, but I soon discovered the secret to this little stovetop wonder and passed it on to Keri. Then, we sold my mom on it as well.

These days, we simply buy kernels. I get a BJ’s Club-sized container of Orville Redenbacher for the air-popper and explore with more artisan corns with the Whirley Pop.

**UPDATE** I found a way to take my love of eating local to popcorn and have been equipped with a gallon-size container of Weiser Farms popping corn — bright white and almost as fluffy as O.R., but even more delicious.

Pop that popcorn in the air-popper! Meanwhile, melt the butter in the microwave in a microwave-safe cup with a spout (for ease).

Once popped and melted (respectively), work in shifts. Lightly drizzle 1/3 of the butter all around the kernels, trying to get as many as you can. Sprinkle garlic salt. Shake. Repeat until butter is gone, but use sea salt instead of garlic salt (trust me).

Add oil and kernels to Whirley-Pop. Close lid and place on burner and crank handle slowly until popping stops or it becomes difficult to crank. Using a potholder to open the lid, pour the hot popcorn away from you into a serving bowl. Grind fresh sea salt all over and shake to distribute.

(Notes: Please read all Whirley Pop instructions before use. If you have an electric stove like me, you’ll want to pre-heat the burner to save some cranking time. Please let others know you’ll be turning on an empty burner – be safe!)

Pour: A tall Ice Pick will wash this down well. Try Crystal Light Iced Tea and spike it with orange vodka.

3 thoughts on “Sara’s Kitchen: Popcorn”

Excellent! Really good ideas, Sara. We use the WhirlyPop mostly, but in a rush I go to the microwave — 1/3 cup white popcorn, small brown paper bag closed with one staple. Takes about 3 minutes, pull it when the pops stop. The staple is way too small to trigger the microwave metal rxn, according to Alton Brown.

Thanks, Pat! I’ve never done the brown-bag-in-microwave trick. Perhaps I’ll have to give it a try. Air-popping really doesn’t take a lot longer than that — just getting out the appliance and putting it back. Enjoy!!